The Vauban Citadel | Belle-Île-en-Mer Tourist Office

A fortress facing the sea

Se Réveiller, Hébergements, Histoire - Patrimoine bâti, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

A Millennia of history

Belle-Ile first gained importance at the very beginning of the Mediaeval period (early XI th century) under the management of Benedictine monks from Redon and Quimperlé. It is at this time that the island’s very first coastal fortifications were built to repel pirates and norsemen, as well as the first serious infrastructure developments: priories and chapels, houses and the fishing harbour.

Following the acquisition of Brittany by the French Crown in 1573, Belle-Ile’s security became a recurrent worry for the King François 1er, and later for his son, Henri II. A not unwarranted worry: tensions between the kingdoms of France, England, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire have reached unprecedented levels. It is in this context of uncertainty and distrust that Charles the IXth will pressure the clergy to cede Belle-Ile to the Gondi family, who are close to the Médicis (to whom he belongs), so that a veritable fortress capable of pushing back any enemy intrusion may be built. It is at this time that Belle-Ile’s, and more particularly, Le Palais’ economy began to truly develop.

However, in just a few years (in truth, less than a century), the French Monarchy underwent significant change. The ‘House of Bourbon’ succeeded the ‘House of Valois’, and the Gondi family, facing major financial difficulties, decided to sell Belle-Île. ‘So that this place will not fall into the hands of suspect individuals,’ Louis XIV invites Nicolas Fouquet, his Superintendent of Finances, to acquire it, which was done in September 1658. Nicolas Fouquet, now Marquis of Belle-Île, would never have the chance to step foot on his land: he was arrested and imprisoned by the Sun King in 1661 for embezzlement.

Vauban, genius engineer

As a result of this disgrace, Belle-Île became the property of Louis XIV, who had it managed successively by the French East India Company, the Farmers General (tax collectors), and later the Estates of Brittany… Not without first entrusting it to the care of his military genius, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban.

In March 1683, Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, Chief Commissioner of Fortifications, arrived on the island. Aiming to make the citadel of Belle-Île ‘one of the finest fortresses in the kingdom,’ he incorporated it into a comprehensive island defence system that he devised during two circumnavigations of the island. Guard posts, coastal batteries, beach barriers, entrenchments, redoubts, and urban walls: all the elements of defensive construction were employed. However, these recommendations would go unheeded. In 1761, during the Seven Years’ War, the British captured the citadel, rendered vulnerable by the lack of urban fortifications.

Histoire - Patrimoine bâti, Belle île en mer, île de Bretagne, Bretagne sud, au large du Golfe du Morbihan

A couple of enthusiastsin service of history

With the advancements in artillery, particularly during the 19th century, the defensive system designed by Vauban became obsolete. Having lost its strategic importance, the Vauban Citadel slowly fell into disrepair, with nature gradually reclaiming it.

In 1960, the State sold the Citadel to André and Anna Larquetoux. They dedicated their passion and fortune to restoring it, undertaking 45 years of work that would return the monument to its former glory.

As true benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Larquetoux assembled an entire collection of paintings, books, ship models, ex-voto, and marine maps, which are displayed within the Art and History Museum in the heart of the Citadel.

The museum is closed until further notice.

So that this place does not fall into the hands of suspicious people

Louis XIV